Tube-cleaner.



D. S. STOVER.

TUBE CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED DEc.26,1914.

Patented Mar. 7, 1916.

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WIT/VESSES A TOHNEY THE COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH C0., wAsHlNaToN, D. c.

-To'aZZ whom t may concern.'

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`DAv'Is s. strovnn, or AMSTERDAM, NEW YORK.

TUBE-CLEANER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 7, 1916.

Application filed December 26, 1914. Serial No;k 879,047.

Be it known that I, DAVIS S. STOVER, a citizen of the United States, residing in Amsterdam, county of Montgomery, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements 1n Tube-Cleaners;

vand I do hereby declarethe following to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention is directed to the provision of anV improved form of apparatusy for cleaning the interior of tubes adapted particularly for luse in cleaning the tubes of boilers.

The object of the invention is to provide a tube cleaner for this use which may be readily manipulated for performing the cleaning operation conveniently and rapidly, with which the cleaning operation is performed from one end of a boiler only,

whichA may be used even when the space in front of the boiler is restricted and which is of simple construction adapting it for manufacture at low cost. Y

The invention is preferably: embodied in a cleaner of the type comprising a tubular frame adapted to be applied toI oneend of a boiler tube, a strip or similar power transmitting member passing through thefframe, a cleaning tool on the end of the kstrip and operating devices mounted on4 the frame for imparting a reciprocatory vmotion tothe strip and the tool attached thereto, the parts being so constructed ,that the requisite power can be transmitted'tothe strip and tool when they are moving in either direction so that the tool will clean while moving in both directions and whilelocated at any point. throughout the length of the tube.

One of the features of the invention relates to the construction of the power trans- Y mitting member extending from the operating devices to the tool. The construction of this member is such that it may flex readily in one direction but not in the other. `It has been proposed heretofore to employ a power transmitting member in the form of a flexible metallic strip carrying the vtool at one end and coacting with kthe operating devices at a point vdistant from the tool. I have found that vwhen-:such a strip is employed, efficient operationV is difficult or vimpossible because of the Aflexure of the "strip,' particularly when the tool has'been moved a substantial distance into a tube. In accordance withthis invention, the power transmitting strip is so made that it can flex in one lateral direction but not in the other. When somade, the strip cannot flex so as to contact with opposite sides of a tube at Va plurality of points along the length of the tube, particularly when the tool has been moved into a tube a substantial distance', as has been the case with the forms of power transmitting strips heretofore proposed. Preferably, I employ a strip of sheet metal which possesses the requisite degree oflflexibility and I apply to Ithis a multiplicity of metallic devices which 'project laterally from'the strip on one side of the latter and which 'abut along their'adjacent edges. Such pieces applied to the strip permit flexure of the strip in one lateral direction accompanied by separation of the adjacentedges of the pieces but preclude flexure in the opposite direction. As a result, the reciprocatory movement of the strip vin the tube is not impeded to any substantial extent, less power is required to reciprocate the tool in the tube because of the absence of a wedging effect of the strip inthe'tube and the apparatus can be used for cleaning the interior of tubes of'greater length because of the marked decrease in thefamount of power required to reciprocate the tool. Another feature of the inventionV resides in the construction of the ydevices whereby the cleaning apparatusvis applied to the end of a tube to be cleaned and grippedto the tube so that it will be heldrigidly 'l throughout'the'clea'ning operation. These devices include certain expansible members adapted to fit within the end of a tube and 'operating mechanism whereby they may be E2, and Fig. 5 is ak detail view in section showing a modification, v

mechanism actuated either by power or by hand. In the present instance, I haveshown the operating mechanism as consisting of a gear 9fpivotally mounted upon the casting 7 and haying a handle 10 secured thereto,

the teeth of this gearV being adapted to coact with the power transmitting strip so as to reciprocate the same. At its end the power transmittingy strip has a cleaning tool 11 secured thereto. this tool being of the usual or any suitable construction.

For mounting the cleaner in cooperative relation to a tube to be cleaned, a collar 12 is slidably mounted upon the tube, 6. This collar is provided with a tapered surface as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In the collar 12 are a pluralityV of grooves, each of which receives one end of a flexible metallic strip 13 of spring metal. The several strips 13 eX- .tend parallel to the tube 6 and at their opposite ends' bear upon the tapered exterior surface of a cam 14 in the form ofa collar secured to the tube 6 adjacent to the end of the latter. The ends of the strips 13 are formedk to present inclined surfaces which conform closely to the shape of the surface of thecollar 14. On the outer sides of these ends of the strips 13their surfaces are substantially parallel tothe aXis of the tube 6 so that pads or engaging surfaces 15 are provided adapted to engage the interior wall of a tube. The strips 13 and the slidable collar 12 aretreciprocated by means Vof an operating handle 16 which is pivotally` mounted upony an extension 17 of the casting 7. This handle 16 is connected tothe collar 12 by connecting rods 18, these being pivotally connected to the handle 16 at a point above the pivot of the handle. t

The power transmitting strip by which reciprocatory motion is transmittedfrom the gear 9 to the tool 11 consists of a long flexible metallic strip 19 provided with means for preventing fleXure in one direction. For this purpose the strip 19 has a plurality of metallic plates 20'applied thereto, each of which plates projects laterally l.from the strip 19 inone direction, the edges of the projecting parts of adjacent pieces 20 being in engagement. In Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive the pieces 20 are shown as made from short strips of sheet metal, eacrhaving its ends carried around the .lateral edges of the strip 19, as shown aty 21 in Fig. 4. Between its ends, each piece 20 isbent so as to pro- .vide a portion 22, wlull lies. at rsi@laat-5.1.. I ltal distance from the strip 19. The edges of the portions 22 of adjacent pieces 2O are in engagement as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

In assembling the parts of the power transmitting mechanism, the tool 11 is secured to the strip 19 by any suitable means, such as the rivets shown at 23. A multiplicity o f the pieces20 are then applied to the strip 19 in the manner indicated in Fig. 4 and are moved along upon the strip until the end one abuts against the'tool or the securing means 23 thereof. After the requisite number of pieces 22 have been applied to the strip, the extreme endof the strip is secured to a threaded bolt 24. The pressure member 25 is then passed over the bolt 24 and moved into engagement with the end piece 20. Then a nut 26 is screwed upon the bolt 24 so asto press the member 25 against the end piece 2O and thus force all of the pieces 2O into hard engagement.y As shown in Fig. 4, the pieces 20 leave one side of the strip 19 exposed so that the teeth of the gear 9 may coact freely with a series of openings provided in the strip 19 to impart the desired reciprocatory movement to the strip and tool.

In Fig. 5 a slight modification of the construction shown in the other figures is illustrated. AI-Iere the pieces applied to the strip 19 are of a different shape. The body of the piece 27 is bent around the strip -19 and the ends 28 thereof are turned upwardly at aright angle to the strip 19 so that the projecting ends 28 of adjacent pieces 27 will abut against each other and arrest flexure of strip V19 in one direction. In using this form of cleaning apparatus the tool and the vend of the tube 6 lare inserted in the tube to be cleaned until the tapered surfaceof the collar Y12 engages the end of the tube and wedges therein. The operator then grasps the handle 16 in one hand while holding the handle 8 in the other and presses forward on the former while pulling backward on the latter. In this way the collar 12 is forced into the end of the tube and at the same time the collar 14 is moved outwardly, the tube 6 passing through the lcollar 12. This movement of the collar 14 relative to the collar 12 and the strips 13 held by the collar 12, causes the ends of the strips '13 to be moved outwardly by reason of the cam action of the tapered surface of the collar 14 upon the coacting ends of the strips 13. Thus the ends of strips 13 are forced outwardly or expanded into hard gripping relation to the tubeand the cleaner is thus gripped to the tube with a high degree of rigidity. The operator then turns the handle 10 vback and forth so as to impart a reciprocatory movement to the strip 19 and the tool 11 by reason of the coaction of the teeth of gear 9 with the openings in the strip.' Tb@ 19.99.1.11 .is time trattata/ad Wittlin the tube and a substantial degree of power may be applied to it while moving it in either direction. When the tool has been moved a substantial distance from the frame, the transmission of reciprocatory motion to the tool through the strip 19 yis accompanied by a tendency of the strip to flex. However, the pieces 20 applied to the strip 19 preclude flexure of the latter in one direction. As a result the strip cannot flex so as to contact with opposite walls of the tube at a plurality of points along the length of the tube in which case the transmission of reciprocatory motion to the tool would be diilicult. At the same time, the power transmitting strip has a capacity for such exure as will permit of using the apparatus even when the tubes of the boiler are of substantial length and the space in Jiront of the boiler is restricted.

What I claim is:

l. A tube cleaner comprising the combination of a frame adapted to be applied to the end of the tube, a power transmitting member extending through the frame and beyond the same, a tool on theend of said member adapted to be reciprocated within the tube, operating devices on the frame cooperating with saidv member for reciprocating the member and the tool secured thereto, said member being capable of lexure in one direction at a multiplicity of points distributed throughout its length, and means for limitinglexure 0f the member in the opposite direction at all points throughout its length; substantially as described.

2. A tube cleaner comprising the combination of a frame, a continuous exible metallic strip extending therethrough, means for precluding exure of the strip in one direction while permitting lexure in the other direction, a tool secured upon one end of the-strip and operating devices coacting with the strip to impart reciprocatory motion to the strip and the tool thereon; Vsubstantially as described.

3. A tube cleaner comprising the Vcombination of a frame, a iiexible metallic strip passing therethrough, a plurality of disconnected devices applied to the strip and having their adjacent edges abutting to arrest flexure of the stripin one direction, a tool' secured to the end of the strip and operating devices on the frame for reciprocating the strip and the tool secured thereto; substantially as described.

A. A tube cleaner comprising the combination of a frame, a liexible metallic strip passing therethrough, a multiplicity of disconnected metallic plates applied to the strip each benty to provide a portion lying at a distance from the strip and the said portions Copies of this patent may be obtained for the collar upon the frame, expansible grip` ping members connected to the collar and means for expandingsaid members mounted upon the frame; substantially as described.

6. A tube cleaner comprising the combination of a tubular frame', a reciprocato'ry member extending therethrough, a tool `secured to the end of themember, a collar i slidably-mounted upon the frame and having a tapered exterior surface, means Jfor moving the collar upon the frame, a collar' secured to the Vframe and having a tapered exterior surface and gripping members for engagement with the interior of a tube secured to said slidable collar andA engaging the tapered` surface of the collar upon the tube, substantially as described.

7. A tube cleaner comprising the combination of a frame, a power transmitting stripA passing therethrough, a tool on the end ofsaid strip, a collar mounted to slide upon the frame and adapted to engage a tube, expansible gripping members for gripping the interior of a tube and means operated by movement of said collar lengthwise of the frame for moving said gripping members .radially into engagement with the interior wall of a surrounding tube,substan i tially as described. n Y

8. In a tube cleaner, a tool, a continuous flexible metallic strip connected to the tool for operating it and means applied to the strip for limiting tlexure ofthe strip in one direction while vpermitting it to flex freely' in the opposite direction at a multiplicity of points throughout its length; substantially as described.

9. kIn a tube cleaner, a tool, a continuous flexible metallic strip connected to the tool for operating it, and means applied to the strip for precluding lexure of the strip in one ydirection'while leaving it free in theopposite direction.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

Davis s. sroviiii.

Witnesses:

EDWARD A. MCCAFFREY, KATHERINE M. KAVANAGH.

ve cents each, by addressing Athe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,174,198, granted March 7,

1916, upon the application of Davis S. Stover, of Amsterdam, New York, for an` improvement in Tube-Cleaners, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction its follows: Page 3, line 116, claim 9, after the Word free insert the Words to jew; and that the said Letters Patent shoiild be read With this correction therein that the same may conform' to the record of the ease in the Patent Oee. i

Signed and sealed this 28th day of March, A. D., 1916.

J. T. NEWTON,

Acting Commissioner of Patents.

[SEAL] 

